Research Asst Professor

Research Asst Professor

Employment Type

- Faculty

Faculty Type
- Research

Hiring Department
- Nuclear Engineering (327A)

Academic Location
- School of Engineering

Campus
- Main
- Albuquerque, NM

Benefits Eligible
- The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for more information.

Position Summary - UNM Nuclear Engineering Department seeks a Research Assistant Professor to lead modeling, simulation, and experimental work on passive decay heat removal in fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactors (FHRs) under molten salt leakage accident conditions. The position supports a funded research program spanning system-level modeling, transient multi-physics simulation, comparative analysis of ex-core cooling strategies (RCCS and PRACS), and validation against a reduced-scale salt leak test facility.

The successful candidate will conduct independent research, contribute to proposals and publications, and help mentor graduate students. This is a full-time, grant-funded appointment with an initial one-year term and the possibility of renewal.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop system-level models of FHR cores and reactor cavity cooling systems to capture transient decay heat generation and removal under salt-loss conditions, using MATLAB or Python.
• Perform coupled neutronics, thermal-hydraulics, and burn-up analysis, and conduct CFD studies (RANS with conjugate heat transfer) to identify post-shutdown temperature hotspots.
• Compare ex-core decay heat removal strategies (RCCS versus PRACS) using in-house models and/or MELCOR, and quantify removal efficiency, response time, and safety margins.
• Support scaling analysis and the design, construction, and operation of a reduced-scale RCCS and salt facility, and use the experimental data to validate and refine the computational models.
• Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and proposal material, and present results to sponsors and at conferences.
• Co-advise and train graduate and undergraduate researchers

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
  
  PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated research experience in thermal-hydraulics, heat transfer, or reactor physics, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.
• Proficiency in scientific programming with MARLAB or Python
• Hands-on experience with at least one thermal-hydraulics, CFD, or reactor analysis code (for example, MELCOR, STAR-CCM+ or an equivalent tool).
• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Research experience with advanced or Generation IV reactors, particularly molten salt or fluoride-salt-cooled systems.
• Familiarity with passive safety systems such as RCCS or PRACS and with decay heat removal under accident conditions.
• Experience coupling neutronics and thermal-hydraulics codes, or with multi-physics frameworks.
• Experience designing, building, or operating thermal-hydraulic test facilities, including instrumentation, scaling analysis, and high-temperature molten salt loops.
• A record of contributing to research proposals and mentoring students.
• Knowledge of the reactor licensing process and related safety analysis.
• A demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and the success of the University's mission to serve local and global communities

Application Instructions
- Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. Must be a US Citizen or US Permanent resident/Green Card holder Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a brief statement of research interests, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Applicants who are appointed to a UNM faculty position are required to provide an official certification of successful completion of all degree requirements prior to their initial employment with UNM.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.